These comments are direct quotations from the Hansard
documents.
Production Cost
Mr.
Roger Gaudet (Montcalm, BQ): Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Agriculture
has recognized that there is a problem with cull cows, but the real
problem is that his program is not working. In Quebec, producers have
received only $90 million out of the $366 million supposedly available to
them.
Could the Minister of Agriculture confirm that he intends to cover, for
each cull slaughtered, the difference between the production cost and a
potential floor price?
[English]
Hon. Andy Mitchell (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, we have been providing producers in Quebec, through our
business risk management programs when they are fully availed, some $366
million. In addition to that, they have been eligible for some specific
programming in terms of BSE, including the TIS program, the cull animal
program and the repositioning program.
As the hon. member points out, there are issues with respect to cull cows.
We have been negotiating with the Province of Quebec. We have been in
discussions with UPA. We are working with them toward a solution.
[Translation]
Mr. Roger Gaudet (Montcalm, BQ): Mr. Speaker, how does the minister
expect us to take him seriously, when he would not go to Quebec City to
take part in extremely important negotiations, dealing with the
slaughterhouse among other issues, and does not even bother to address the
producers gathered at a convention to make an announcement? The minister's
behaviour is pitiful.
[English]
Hon. Andy Mitchell (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, here is a great example of the Bloc trying to suck and blow
at the same time. The Bloc members put a motion to the House condemning
the government's agricultural policy. Then they criticize the Minister of
Agriculture for being in the House to address that motion. That is
absolutely ludicrous, and every Canadian realizes that.
Mr.
Guy Lauzon (Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, CPC): Mr. Speaker,
the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food is panicking over the mad cow
crisis, so much so that he is refusing to meet with Quebec farmers of the
UPA, although everyone would be quite satisfied to meet with his
assistant.
Will he be forced to admit that he got nowhere with President Bush, or is
he unable to give us a date for the reopening of our borders? We need a
date.
[English]
Hon. Andy Mitchell (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, in respect of opening Canadian borders, we have made some
very good progress.
In respect of the United States, we were pleased a week and a half ago
when the rule was put into the White House office of management and
budget. A particular timeframe, 90 days and counting, has begun.
In respect of other borders, I am very pleased to see that Hong Kong
opened its borders to Canadian beef from animals under 30 months. I am
very pleased to see the agreement that we had in China in respect of
genetic material from the dairy industry. I am very pleased to see the
progress we are making with Taiwan in the meetings that are happening this
week.
We are making progress in opening the borders.
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